Should I install anti-virus program on my iPad?

Should I install an anti-virus program on my iPad?

You don't need one. As it stands, there are no known viruses for the iOS operating system.
You do still have to practice safe internetting. Don't click on links in unsolicited mails, be wise where you share your personal info, etc.
But most viruses are .exe files, written to execute on PC based systems, .exe files literally won't run on an iPad's operating system.

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I transferred big files from windows to my macbook, should I install anti-virus on macbook pro?

I transferred big files from windows to my macbook because I wanted to retire my old PC, should I install anti-virus on macbook pro because of those files I moved? Would you recommend? Or should I feel comfortable since I'm using OS X Mavericks? Anybody with the same case? Thanks.

Files moved from a Windows machine may contain malware, but that malware would not be a threat to your Mac. Windows malware cannot infect a Mac.
As for protecting your Mac against Mac malware, see my Mac Malware Guide.

Install firewall or anti-virus program for new ipad

Do i need to install a firewall or anti-virus program for new ipad

Apfelwurm wrote:
Your Wi-Fi router should already sport a firewall.
Check its documentation.
Unfortunately, the router firewall can prevent the iPad from accessing the Internet!. I didn't look into the details but my router firewall has three basic settings, Minimum, Typical and Maximum. Internet access is blocked with Typical and Maximum settings.

Hi. I run parallels, should I install anti virus software?

Hi
I run parallels on my mac, should I install inti virus software on the Windows 7 I am using?

This does not make it any more or less neccessary to run anti-virus software on the Mac itself. You must install some kind of Windows anti-virus software in the virtual machine, however, if you are going to be using the Windows system in that virtual machine to go online or deal with files obtained from questionable sources. If that Windows system can be used in isolation, then you should be okay to skip the anti-virus software.

Macbook pro will not start up after installing anti virus program.

Cannot back up - is there anyway to go back to prior to installation of software (last sunday)? I took this to the apple store yesterday and they told me I must back up my data so I do not lose it but i cannot get it to start up to do so. It started several times yesterday but will not today.
This macbook was purchsed on amazon.com last october in germany and the warranty (per the apple store) started in June when amazon bought this machine from them so nothing is covered. I am a foreign exchange student (from germany) in michigan for the year and really need to get the computer going and am willing to lose my data if I cannot get it to back up.
What steps can I take to either get computer up (is there a "safe" mose like a windows product) or is there anything I can so short of wiping system clean myself?
Please advise and thank you

eww wrote:
Any Windoze user who is not well protected against any viruses that a Mac user could pass on is extremely foolish, and deserves them.
Interesting attitude. Whether they get infected or not is not the point, they will not be very happy to have received it in the first place.
Safe mode will not work. I am not sure what to do from here - can I just wipe out the system and reinstall since I cant get the system to start up in safe OR back up my files??
By "Safe mode will not work" do you mean it crashed in Safe Mode too or do you mean you couldn't get it to go into Safe Mode?
Try pressing Cmd R during boot. This will boot you into Lion Recovery. You might be able to reinstall Lion without affecting your files.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1533
You should have your old OS X disk, the one that came with your computer. You can boot from that disk and perhaps copy your files from the hard drive before you try anything else. Recovering files this way is not something I've had to do so I can't give much advice.

No viruses on mac but should i still get anti-virus program?

I am getting a mac next week and i would like to know if i should buy an anti virus program even though macs dont get viruses.Thanks

There will be conflicts, and pages upon pages with arguments for/against anti-virus programs on a Mac.
ClamAV is a small program, unlike Norton, does NOT create any instability within MacOS and does not slow MY system down. I am not sure if you have used ClamAV, but there are thousands of users who use it WITHOUT a problem.
I use Clam to scan for a possible virus that come through e-mail, (ClamAV does scan e-mail too) and I use Microsoft Office tons, and use it between OS. Better to be safe than sorry, slowing down my computer or not. Again, I have not had any problems with installers, system performance, loss of memory etc. It's worth it IMO.

Anti-virus program for iPad 2

Do I need anti-virus program for my iPad 2?

In another thread someone is saying that iPad has no Viruses. If Facebook is showing signs of a virus then FB has the problem not iPad.
What a laugh!!!!
That's like Microsoft saying their computers don't have viruses. It's all that **** software out there that has the virus problems.
GMAB

My company requires that I install an anti-virus program on my MAC in order to gain access to our shared drives from home. The IT group suggests I download Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition. Is there reason I shouldn't do this?

My company requires that I install an anti-virus program on my Mac in order to access shared corporate drives via Citrix from home. The IT guys recommend Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac. Is this OK or are there other programs I should use instead?

Sophos or ClamXav either one are recommended. FYI... the Mac drive may slow down as a result of installing a/v software.

Which free anti virus program to install on os x lion?

Hi;
which anti virus program do you advise to install on mac os x lion?

Mac OS X versions 10.6.7 and later have built-in detection of known Mac malware in downloaded files. The recognition database is automatically updated once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders. In most cases, there’s no benefit from any other automated protection against malware.
The most effective defense against malware is your own intelligence. All known Mac malware takes the form of trojans that can only operate if the victim is duped into running them. If you're smarter than the malware attacker thinks you are, you won't be duped. That means, primarily, that you never install software from an untrustworthy source. How do you know a source is untrustworthy?
Any website that prompts you to install software, such as a “codec” or “plug-in,” that comes from that same site, or an unknown site, is untrustworthy.
A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim.
“Cracked” versions of commercial software downloaded from a bittorrent are likely to be infected.
Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. No intermediary is acceptable.
Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can reasonably be.
Never install any commercial "anti-virus" products for the Mac, as they're all counter-productive. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use ClamXav -- nothing else.

With the recent amount of publicity of macs being targeted with viruses, it recommended to install an anti-virus program such as kaspersky

Is the mac mini safe against virus attacks or do I need to install a anti-virus program such as kaspersky. I normally check for updates and all my equipment religiously, can some please advise.
Thanks
rachealfromva

"Viruses" have not been the real issue on Macs. The real issues
have been malware and trojans. In these cases, the user is most
likely lured into believing that they must download certain software
and the user actively accepts it. The other case is users that try to
beat the system by downloading software from "warez" sites trying
to get out of paying for software. Torrent sites are also a favorite target
for trojans and malware as well.
The best defense against these sort of attacks is:
-If you didn't request it, don't accept it.
-If a site claims that you must download an upgrade
for a polpular plugin, Adobe Flash for example, go to
the plugin/software vendors site and verify that you
are not up to date and get it there.
-Only download and install software directly from vendor
sites and only from reputable vendors.
The one reason for AV software would be to check mail
that you may forward to Windows machines so as not
to affect them. And again, as far as mail, if it is unsolicited,
trash and delete and don't open any attachments or links.

Do I need an anti-virus program on a MacBook?

I'm a brand new MacBook user. Just bought the 13-inch aluminum body version from Club Mac and it was delivered yesterday. The notebook is actually for my wife to be able to use while she's recovering from knee surgery in a couple of weeks and I thought it was time to branch our family out from PC's and Windows. So I'm setting up the MacBook for her to be able to use it...and for our family to get more literate on a Mac and it looks great! My question is do I need an anti-virus program and if so, which is a good one recommended by Mac users? NOTE: because my wife is familiar with Windows, I had XP service pack 3 installed and have VM Ware Fusion onboard to be able to run both Windows and Leopard for her convenience and to assist us. So there MAY be some Windows use on this MacBook, at least at first. All responses, replies, suggestions, welcome. THANK YOU.

Do You Need Anti-Virus Protection for Your Mac?
According to Rich Mogull's article, Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?,
"The reality is that today the Mac platform is relatively safe. There are hundreds of thousands of viruses and other malicious software programs floating around for Windows, but less than 200 are known to target the Mac, and many of those are aimed at versions of the Mac OS prior to Mac OS X (and thus have no effect on a modern Mac).
It's not that Mac OS X is inherently more secure against viruses than current versions of Windows (although it was clearly more secure than Windows prior to XP SP2); the numerous vulnerabilities reported and patched in recent years are just as exploitable as their Windows equivalents. But most security experts agree that malicious software these days is driven by financial incentives, and it's far more profitable to target the most dominant platform."
Mr. Mogull is a computer security expert. I recommend reading the entire article as it is quite informative.
For additional information on viruses, trojans, and spyware visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQs on viruses and spyware.

Which anti-virus program do you recommend?

My school requires that I install an anti-virus on my iBook G4. Which anti-virus program works better with Mac?

Look at these links.
The Mac Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2009/01/29/the-mac-malware-myth/
Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?
http://db.tidbits.com/article/9511
Reviews of Antivirus products for Apple Mac OS X
http://netsecurity.about.com/od/macav/Reviewsof_Antivirus_products_for_Apple_Mac_OSX.htm
Antivirus software is not really necessary on a Mac, however if you receive many emails and forward them to PC users it may help them. I don't use any AV SW on my Macs. If you want to use one to detect a virus on emails, get the freeware antivirus application for Macs - ClamXav @ http://www.clamxav.com/ .
SecureMac has a lot of info about Mac security. SecureMac has provided several freeware Trojan removal tools. Download them here:
iServices Trojan Removal Tool (OS 10.4 or later) Download at http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/30265/iservices-trojan-removal-tool
DNSChanger Removal Tool (OS 10.3 or later) Download at http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/26652/dnschanger-removal-tool
 Cheers, Tom

Help with anti-virus programs, PLEASE!

New Lenovo and it won't allow me to install AVG anti-virus. Download completed but when trying to install, after hours of waiting, I get an error message saying something about Microsoft, so I presume it's the bully response trying to make me accept Norton or some other anti-virus software they are pushing which I don't want.
How to make Lenovo accept MY choice of anti-virus software?
Moderator Note: Edited subject to match content.

Hello,
I have never had a problem installing another antivirus program onto a ThinkPad (or ThinkCentre) computer, so I think this may be some sort of error message about a missing component or patch level. Here is what I would suggest that you try:
Download, and have ready to run, the Symantec Norton Removal Tool (assuming your computer came with a Symantec product). If your computer came with a McAfee product, download the McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool, instead.
Download the full package for the latest version of your prefered anti-malware solution.
Run Microsoft Windows Update on the computer to ensure it is
up-to-date with respect to all know operating system service packs,
hot-fixes and updates. Install the optional components, too. Several
reboots may be required before the computer is fully updated.
After the computer is updated, uninstall the currently-installed anti-malware program via the Program ands Features Control Panel applet (filename: APPWIZ.CPL). A reboot will likely be required to complete uninstallation.
Run the appropriate Removal Tool from step #1 to remove any orphaned drivers, services or leftover registry entries from the now-uninstalled anti-malware program. Again, a reboot may be required to finish the operation.
Begin installation of your preferred security software.
At this point, you should now have your security software installed on your Lenovo computer.
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
I am a volunteer and neither a Lenovo nor a Microsoft employee. • Dexter is a good dog • Dexter je dobrý pes
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McAfee Anti-virus Program

Where do I find the link to reload the free McAfee anti-virus program? My current application has corrupted after 3-4 years of working properly.

DO NOT INSTALL! It is incredibly bloated and WILL slow your system down dramatically. It will also disable ALL networked printers and filesharing (even local). It is obtrusive and should not be considered a "benefit" at all.

Should I download anti virus software such as AVG for my new MacBook

Should I download anti virus software such as AVG on my new MacBook Pro

Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" (AV) software. The usual answer is "no." That answer is right, but it may give the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called "viruses." There is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions.
It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the computer, or who has been able to take control of it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. AV software is not intended to, and does not, defend against such attacks.
The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in sections 5, 6, and 10.
OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
The following caveats apply to XProtect:
☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't been checked for security by Apple unless it comes from the App Store, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
☞ It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
☞ A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
☞ An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
Apple has taken far too long to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. Those lapses don't involve App Store products, however.
For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandbox security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, not machine behavior, and no technological fix alone is going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.
The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "Trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and Internet criminals. If you're better informed than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in practice, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.
Software from an untrustworthy source
☞ Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, or your browser, or any other software. A genuine alert that Flash is outdated and blocked is shown on this support page. Follow the instructions on the support page in that case. Otherwise, assume that the alert is fake and someone is trying to scam you into installing malware. If you see such alerts on more than one website, ask for instructions.
☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
☞ Rogue websites such as Softonic, Soft32, and CNET Download distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."
☞ The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.
Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
☞ High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."
☞ An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission. All "YouTube downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily malicious.
Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers
☞ A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
☞ A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.
☞ You win a prize in a contest you never entered.
☞ Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.
☞ A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.
☞ Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
Unexpected events
☞ A file is downloaded automatically when you visit a web page, with no other action on your part. Delete any such file without opening it.
☞ You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
☞ An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
☞ Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.
6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it—not JavaScript—in your browsers.
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a padlock icon in the address bar when visiting a secure site.
Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.
7. Never install any commercial AV or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they are all worse than useless. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial AV products?
☞ To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.
☞ Its design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere. In order to meet that nonexistent threat, commercial AV software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
☞ By modifying the operating system, the software may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
☞ Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous.
8. An AV product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," has the same drawback as the commercial suites of being always out of date, but it does not inject low-level code into the operating system. That doesn't mean it's entirely harmless. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
An AV app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.
Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:
London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe
You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an organizational policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in every email attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must run some kind of AV application. It's free and it won't handicap the system.
The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have all the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.
10. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It can be as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

Should I install anti-virus program on my iPad?

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